Plastic aerosol cap with vent notches in skirt, and aerosol cap assembly



y 1967 c o. BARNES 3,318,488

PLASTIC AEROSOL CAP WITH VENT NOTCHES IN SKIRT, AND AEROSOL CAP ASSEMBLY Filed March 18, 1965 INVENTOR 6&472196 2 347/265 ATTORNEY United States Patent '0 3,318,488 PLASTIC AEROS OL CAP WITH VENT NOTCHES IN SKIRT, AND AEROSOL CAP ASSEMBLY Charles Oden Barnes, Ellicott City, Md., assignor to The Eastern Cap and Closure Company, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Filed Mar. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 440,814 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-182 This invention relates to a cap or cover adapted for pressurized liquid spray, cylindrically shaped containers which have an annular neck portion and a valve unit, normally closing the uppermost end of the container, positioned above the neck portion, the cover being constructed so as to provide ventilation in the space between the inside of said cover and the annular neck portion and valve unit when it is placed upon the pressurized container. It also relates to the assembly of this ventilating-alfording, removble cover made of plastic in assembly with the pressurized liquid spray, cylindrically-shaped container of the type just mentioned. I am aware that there are on the market covers made of plastic for use in conjunction with these pressurized, cylindrically shaped containers.

There has existed a problem of the metallic part of the annular neck portion and valve unit, normally closing the uppermost end of the aei'osol type liquid spray, cylindrically shaped containers, rusting, because of lack of ventilation between the inside interior surface of the cover and the neck portion and spray valve of the pressurized container. The rusting results because the plastic type covers or caps fit so tightly on the upper portion of such containers that it is almost air tight, i.e. no air can enter or leave the space within the cover in assembled relationship with the container.

Back of this objectionable phenomenon just referred to is all aerosol cans or containers are run through a water bath to test for leaks the cans containing fluid under pressure. After the leak test an effort is made to dry the tops of the containers by various methods; but there does not always result the desired condition that all the dampness on the neck portion and spray valve structure is gotten rid of. Furthermore, there has been found another factor causing this objectionable phenomenon, namely that condensation will form under various warehouse conditions when the pressurized container, cover assembly is stored in the warehouse, causing rusting because of the lack of ventilation.

The conventional type of plastic cap or cover is cupshaped, but has disadvantage in use in conjunction with pressurized containers, i.e. aerosol containers, as will now be pointed out. The top is usually substantially fiat and circular with a skirt integral therewith, and cylindrical in form, depending substantially vertically with reference to the top of the cover. The lowermost portion of its skirt has a slightly outwardly projecting ofi-set and also an inwardly-vertically tapering off-set lowermost portion coming to a pointed edge just a very little bit above the bottom rim of the plastic cup. This lowermost inner pointed edge of this skirt of this cap, when hand pressure is applied vertically downwardly, rides over the lower ring of the annular neck, snaps'back into and is held frictionally in the channel between the lower ring and the very lowermost or terminating portion of the dome of the container. The top need not, however, be substantially fiat, and may have a slight elevated fiat portion of lesser diameter than the top of the container. Such conventional plastic tops have no breaks of any nature in the top or the skirt portions thereof. And as mentioned supra, the fit between such conventional plastic top and the upper portions of the cylindrically shaped pressurized can is so tight that it is air tight.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plastic 3,3 18,488 Patented May 9, 1967 type cover for aerosol type containers which will eliminate rusting of the metallic neck part and valve portion of such containers when the two are in assembled relationship.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a plastic type cover or cap for aerosol type containers, which is simple in construction yet so effective that it will accomplish the result mentioned in the preceding paragraph as an object.

The present invention consists broadly of a protective plastic open-end cover for frictionally engaging the circular base portion of this annular neck portion or dome of a cylindrical-aerosol container, which cover has a plurality of vent notches in the lower edge area of the cylindrical skirt thereof, which skirt depends substantially vertically from the circular-shaped top, i.e. perpendicularly. The present invention also consists of the combination of a protective plastic open end cover and a metallic type cylindrically shaped container, which cover has a plurality of vent notches in the lower edge area of the skirt thereof, which skirt depends substantially perpendicularly downwardly with reference to a fiat top of the cover; the lowermost portion of the skirt, where the notches are cut, has a slightly outwardly projecting off-set and also an inwardlyvertically tapering-off, lowermost portion coming to an edge just slightly above the bottom rim of the plastic cover; the said aerosol type cylindrical container has a circumferential channel between the lower ring or set-off portion of its dome and the very lowermost or terminating portion of the dome, which last is situated at the top portion of the pressurized container. The conical section below this circumferential channel forms at its base another circumferential channel with the chuck wall formed by the upstanding cylindrical wall of the container. The spray valve unit is mounted on the dome or annular neck portion of the container.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will appear herewith, as the description proceeds, will be readily understood from a perusal of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the protective cover of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the protective cover, taken on line A-A of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section along the line which vertically halves the cover, showing the container and frictionally held cover assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the upper part of the container, including the spray valve unit.

From FIGURES l and 2, it will be observed that the protective cover or cap, which bears the numeral 1, has a circular, flat top portion, designated by the numeral 2, and a cylindrically shaped skirt portion bearing the numeral 3, integral therewith and depending substantially vertically from the circular top. This cover, made of plastic, hence resilient and a little pliable, has a plurality of equi-spaced notches, bearing the numeral 4, such as a total of three (3) in the lowermost part of the skirt, which latter will be further particularized. In this embodiment these notches are semi-circular in configuration. The lowermost portion 5 of the skirt where the notches are cut, has a slightly outwardly projecting off-set and also more important an inwardly-vertically taperingotf lowermost portion coming to a pointed edge just a very little bit above the bottom rim of the plastic cover. The cover of this invention has a sufiicient over-all height that, when the lower portion 5 of the depending skirt 3 fits against the channel between the lower ring and the termi nating portion of the dome of the container, the inside surface of the circular top of the cover clears the top of the dispensing valve. This is, of course, necessary, the

height of the dome portion with valve structure mounted on the dome will determine the height of the depending skirt as well as the over-all height of the protective cover. Likewise the diameter of the cylindrical depending skirt 3 and its lower portion 5 will be governed by the circumference measurement of the lower ring on the dome and circumference measurement of the channel formed by the very bottom of the dome with the chuck wall of the container formed by the upstanding cylindrical side wall of the container. There must be a tight fit between the edge 5 of the skirt 3 of the plastic cover and the channel between the lower ring and the terminating portion of the dome of the pressurized container.

It will be understood that the top of such covers need not be flat, nor fiat in the same plane even. In this embodiment the top is flat. But there can be a circular shaped slightly elevated portion. The number of notches need not be restricted to three as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, nor even semi-circular in configuration.

The skirt integral with the top should be substantially vertical and the lower portion of the skirt should have a structure that will grip or hold frictionally to the dome'of the container. If the top of the cover is not flat, then the angle between the top and the skirt would not be 90.

From FIGURES 3 and 4 there is to be observed that the container body, numbered 7, which is made of metal, is joined by a seam 8 with the upper end, 9, of the container. From FIG. 3 it will be observed that the domed portion 10 is joined to chuck wall 11, forming a chuck wallv channel 12. From these two figures it will be seen that the off-set or ring 13 on the dome 10 is greater in circumference than any part of the said dome above it, and therein lies an important function which explanation will appear below. Directly below this off-set or ring 13,

just referred to, is a circumferential channel bearing the numeral 14, whose role will be referred to subsequently. The dome 10 in such structure is frequently referred to in pressurized containers as 'the annular neck. portion. Above the neck portion or dome is a valve unit 15, which normally closes the uppermost end of the container. This unit consists of an outer connecting or attaching plate 16, which latter terminates in an annular flange or skirt 17. The spray-head itself bears the numeral 18.

The height of the notches 4 in the edge of the skirt 3 of the plastic cover is sufiicient that there is an open space between the top of ring 13 and each of the notches 4. This space is important because it permits circulation of air between the interior of cap or cover and its exterior, whereby moisture on the dome and/or the valve structure will be removed. The entire exposed dome and valve structure,'except for the spray head itself is customarily made of -metal(s) which is subject to corrosion, and

therefore, when moisture remains in contact therewith,

rusting will result. It is obvious that the height and overall dimension of the notches must be sufficient for there to be proper ventilation of the space between the interior of the cap or cover and the dome-valve structure unit of the pressurized container with the outside. For if there is not, then the purpose of the notches is not fulfilled. In the assembled position of the plastic cover with the pressurized container, with the rim edge of the cover resting upon the surface of the chuck wall channel 12 of the top end of the container, there must be ample space between the. several notches and the top of the ring 13 to yield this ventilation, otherwise the major portion of this cover is not attained.

When it is desired to place the cover in assembled position with the pressurized container, there is simply applied by hand vertically downwardly directed pressure to the top of the cover. In this way, the rim or edge 5 is pushed down over the extending set-off or ring 13 of the dome of the upper end of the container. The plastic, being resilient and a little pliable, stretches slightly as a result of this pressure, and the inside projecting edge portion numbered 6 of the skirt snaps into the recess or channel 14 which is directly below the off-set or ring 13 on the dome; and in this manner the cover is thereby held securely to the container.

The cover has been referred to several times as being made of plastic. This material may be of any type that may be molded into proper shape. The plastic should possess some pliability and resiliency, so that the lower edge of the cover may expand over the off-set or ring 13 of the dome of the container as previously mentioned, and also to withstand the usual shocks and forces to which the protective cover of this invention may be submitted.

The containers with valve structure at their upper end for spraying liquids or powders by gases or low boiling liquids, which become gaseous when the pressure is re: leased, are customarily referred to as aeroso containers or pressurized containers. And my invention embraces the assembly of such containers with their respective valve structures on the domes of the containers, with the covers therefor, which cover is characterized by a plurality of notches 'in the lowermost extremity of the cylindricalskirt V of the cover thereof, leaving or providing an open space between the plurality of notches and the dome to which the cover is removably afiixed. And my invention also embraces the cover per se, constructed for the utility of ventilating both the dome and the valve structure mounted on the dome of the aerosol container.

While I have described and illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is: V e 1. An assembly of a cylindrical dispensing container having an inwardly and upwardly tapered annular neck portion on which a valve dispensing unit is positioned, the

said neck portion having a ring at its lower extremity of larger circumferential dimensions than any portion of the annular neck above it and having a circular recess directly below the said ring in the neck portion, which neckportion and valve dispensing unit are formed of metal subject to corrosion by moisture, and the bottom of the neck portion is joined to the top portion of the cylindrical side'of the said container, forming a seam, a circumferential chuck wall between the bottom of the neck portion and the upstanding wall, an inverted cup-shaped plastic cover for the container, the lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt of the cover having a slightly outwardlyprojecting off-set and also an inwardly-vertically tapering off lowermost portion coming to a pointed edge slightly above the bottom rim of the cover to fit into the said circular recess below the ring on the annular neck, said skirt also having a plurality of substantially equi-spaced' notches therein opening into the rim of the skirt which are of a sufficient height and dimension each that when the'rim edge of the skirt rests upon the chuck wall channel of the container there is ample space through the said notches for the passage of air between the inside of the plastic protective cover and the outside of the assembly.

2. The assembly structure as set out in claim 1, wherein there are at least three, approximately equally spaced notches in the lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt. 7

3. A cup-shaped plastic protective cover for a pressurized container which has a dome portion on its upper end and a valve dispensing unit mounted on the dome, both units being formed of metal subject to corrosion by moisture, which cover is further characterized by a lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt of a cover having a slightly outwardly projecting off-set and also an inwardly-vertically tapering oif lowermost portion coming to a pointed edge slightly above the bottom rim of the cover to fit into the circumferential recess below the ring on the dome portion of the pressurized container, said skirt also having a plurality of substantially equi-spaced notches therein opening into the rim edge of the skirt and 5 of a sufiicient height and size that when the rim edge of the skirt rests upon the circumferential chuck wall between the bottom of the dome and the upstanding wall of the container, there is ample space through which air will pass between the inside of the protective cover and outside.

4. A cup-shaped plastic cover as set out in claim 3, wherein there are at least three notches in the lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt, approximately equally spaced.

5. An assembly of a cylindrical dispensing container having an inwardly and upwardly tapered annular neck portion on which a valve dispensing unit is positioned, the said neck ortion having a ring at its lowermost extremity of larger circumference than any part above it on the annular neck, which neck and valve dispensing unit are formed of metal subject to corrosion by moisture, and the base of the neck portion is joined to the top portion of the cylindrical side of the said container, forming a seam and also making a circumferential chuck Wall channel continuous, which latter is the lowermost position of the dome portion, and a plastic protective cover for said dispensing container having a substantially flat top, circular in shape with a cylindrical skirt integral therewith and depending substantially vertically from the top the lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt having a plurality of substantially equi-spaced notches therein opening out into the rim of the skirt, the lowermost extremity of the cover having a slightly outwardly projecting oil-set and also an inwardly-vertically tapering lowermost portion coming to a pointed edge slightly above the bottom rim of the cover for fitting into the circumferential space directly below the ring on the annular neck, the said notches having sufficient height and size that when the rim-edge of the skirt rests upon the surface of the chuck wall channel of the container there is ample space between the inside of the protective cover and the outside of the assembly.

6. The assembly as set out in claim 5, wherein there are at least three, approximately equally spaced notches in the lowermost extremity of the cylindrical skirt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,961,128 11/1960 Cochran 222-182 3,136,453 6/1964 Patton et al. 222562 X 3,179,313 4/1965 Malglaive 222-182 X 3,223,332 12/1965 Nyden 222182 X 3,224,645 12/1965 Frost 222--182 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. WALTER SOBIN, Examiner. 

1. AN ASSEMBLY OF A CYLINDRICAL DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING AN INWARDLY AND UPWARDLY TAPERED ANNULAR NECK PORTION ON WHICH A VALVE DISPENSING UNIT IS POSITIONED, THE SAID NECK PORTION HAVING A RING AT ITS LOWER EXTREMITY OF LARGER CIRCUMFERENTIAL DIMENSIONS THAN ANY PORTION OF THE ANNULAR NECK ABOVE IT AND HAVING A CIRCULAR RECESS DIRECTLY BELOW THE SAID RING IN THE NECK PORTION, WHICH NECK PORTION AND VALVE DISPENSING UNIT ARE FORMED OF METAL SUBJECT TO CORROSION BY MOISTURE, AND THE BOTTOM OF THE NECK PORTION IS JOINED TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE CYLINDRICAL SIDE OF THE SAID CONTAINER, FORMING A SEAM, A CIRCUMFERENTIAL CHUCK WALL BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE NECK PORTION AND THE UPSTANDING WALL, AN INVERTED CUP-SHAPED PLASTIC COVER FOR THE CONTAINER, THE LOWERMOST EXTREMITY OF THE CYLINDRICAL SKIRT OF THE COVER HAVING A SLIGHTLY OUTWARDLY PROJECTING OFF-SET AND ALSO AN INWARDLY-VERTICALLY TAPERING OFF LOWERMOST PORTION COMING TO A POINTED EDGE SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE BOTTOM RIM OF THE COVER TO FIT INTO THE SAID CIRCULAR RECESS BELOW THE RING ON THE ANNULAR NECK, SAID SKIRT ALSO HAVING A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIP-SPACED NOTCHES THEREIN OPENING INTO THE RIM OF THE SKIRT WHICH ARE OF A SUFFICIENT HEIGHT AND DIMENSION EACH THAT WHEN THE RIM EDGE OF THE SKIRT RESTS UPON THE CHUCK WALL CHANNEL OF THE CONTAINER THERE IS AMPLE SPACE THROUGH THE SAID NOTCHES FOR THE PASSAGE OF AIR BETWEEN THE INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE COVER AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY. 